news & events

Of the 535 members of Congress, a few are especially aware of writers’ public policy concerns and meet with our political team to better understand and support issues that matter to writers.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)
Why we like him: Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, he understands the importance of writers as content creators and a supporter of net neutrality, Rockefeller shot back at critics of the FCC’s net neutrality rules and led the floor debate in favor of the open Internet rules that helped stop their repeal.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA.)
Why we like him: A deep understanding of writers and the public policy positions affecting their work and a tireless fighter for net neutrality, the westside Democrat has a large constituency of writers in his district. When Democrats are in the majority again, this ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will become its chair, and we will have a powerful ally with even more to say on issues affecting writers.

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN.)
Why we like him: Sure, he’s a WGAE member, and that’s part of it. But he’s also highly knowledgeable and engaged with all issues affecting writers. On the floor of the Senate, Franken called net neutrality the “free speech issue of our time” saying that the Internet has become the "soap box" of the 21st century.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT.)
Why we like him: Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Leahy understands and supports net neutrality, the important role of content creators and digital piracy.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA.)
Why we like him: Author of the House Internet Freedom Preservation Act ensuring the Internet remains a level playing field guided by the principles of openness and competition, Markey is a consistent champion for net neutrality and new sources of competition to cable TV franchises, telephone operators, and other wireless services.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA.)
Why we like him: Voted YES on establishing net neutrality in 2006 and supports websites policing for copyrighted materials. Schiff is a consistently strong supporter of writers both in his district and in general.